How to Use Peppermint Oil with Methods and Recipes
Peppermint essential oil, one of the most versatile essential oils, is extracted from the leaves of the peppermint herb or Mentha piperita. The antiseptic, astringent, carminative, digestive, and analgesic properties of peppermint oil make it beneficial for countless health issues. Read on to find out how to use peppermint oil for skin, hair, home, and general health.
7 Ways to Use Peppermint Oil
Diffuser
One of the best ways to gain therapeutic benefits of peppermint oil is by using peppermint oil in a diffuser. Pour a few drops of peppermint oil into the diffuser or vaporizer and spread the minty fragrance around your house or your office.
Bath
Prepare a cool or warm water bath and add 3–5 drops of peppermint essential oil to it. Soak for few minutes to relax while inhaling the sweet minty smell of the oil. Use this method to get relief from itchiness. Use Epsom salt along with peppermint oil to get relief from muscle and joint pain.
Internally
One way of taking peppermint oil internally is by drinking a cup of mint tea. To make peppermint tea, add 1–2 drops of peppermint essential oil to a glass of distilled water. Peppermint tea helps to improve exercise performance and digestion.
Spray
Pour a few drops of peppermint essential oil into a glass spray bottle and fill up the remaining part of the bottle with distilled water. Shake the bottle well before each use.
Spray the solution around your room to make it smell amazing with the fresh peppermint scent. You can also add a few drops of orange essential oil to the room spray blend.
Inhalation
You may inhale peppermint oil directly from the bottle while keeping it away from your inner nose, or mix it with other essential oils and then breathe in the combined aroma deeply.
For instance, mix peppermint, lavender, and ginger essential oils and inhale 1–2 drops of this blend in a car or other vehicle to reduce motion sickness.
Another method of inhalation of peppermint oil is by putting a drop of it onto the palm and cupping hands to the nose. Follow this method to relieve nausea and reduce fatigue before a workout.
Topical Use
Dilute peppermint oil in a carrier oil before applying topically. Use a dilution ratio of a maximum of 3%. 3% dilution means 3 drops of peppermint oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil.
Apply the blend on the abdomen area to get relief from indigestion. Moreover, to alleviate stress, improve blood circulation, and reduce pain, use the blend on the forehead, shoulders, and the back of the neck.
How to Use Peppermint Oil for Skin Care
Peppermint oil acts as a natural astringent that tightens the skin and offers relief from skin problems like sunburns. Try these recipes to boost your skin health.
Homemade Foot Scrub:
Make your own foot scrub for aching and tired feet and to get rid of cracks.
Add 1½ cups of sea salt, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and a tablespoon of olive oil to a medium-sized bowl. Mix all ingredients well and then add 8 drops each of the essential oils of lavender and peppermint, and blend again.
Keep this mixture in a lidded jar and store it in a cool, dark place, like a refrigerator. Pour a small amount of this homemade scrub onto the palm and scrub feet, calves, and ankles with this mixture. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Your feet will look attractive and feel refreshed.
Anti-Aging Lotion:
Get glowing skin that makes you look younger with the help of the following recipe.
In a heat-safe glass bowl placed in a pan of boiling water, add ¼ cup olive oil, a tablespoon each of beeswax and shea butter, and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. You can also use a double-boiler for this. Continue to stir the ingredients while heating them. Once melted and mixed well, remove the blend from the heat, and then add 5 drops of peppermint essential oil and 10 drops each of frankincense essential oil and lavender oil. Blend all the ingredients well by stirring again.
Let the mixture cool, then transfer it to a glass mason jar or some other container. Apply this homemade lotion on your face and body, but keep it away from your eyes. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using this lotion.
Blackhead-removing Face Mask:
To get rid of blackheads, you’ll need a tablespoon of gelatin, ½ teaspoon turmeric, and a drop each of peppermint and frankincense essential oils.
In a pan, heat 1/8 cup of water, then pour this warm water onto a small bowl. Next, add all the ingredients one by one. Stir the mixture to blend them all well.
Apply this mixture with a brush. Leave it on for 15 minutes and let it dry completely. Peel off the mask gently, and then rinse the face with warm water. Use this mask either in the morning or at night before bed.
Facial Scrub:
To brighten dull skin, make your own facial scrub with peppermint oil.
Start with combining 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 3 teaspoons of table salt. Then add 4 drops of peppermint essential oil, and stir well to combine.
Wash the face and then scrub this mixture over the face gently for an excellent exfoliation session. Do this every 3 days to get healthy, radiant skin.
Skin Toner:
Add 40 ml of apple cider vinegar and 115 ml filtered water to a glass spray bottle. Next, add 30 drops of peppermint essential oil and give the bottle a good shake to blend the ingredients well.
Store this bottle in the refrigerator and use this toner twice daily as a facial mist.
Face Mask for Oily Skin:
Get skin free of blemishes on the face by making your own facial mask.
In a bowl, whisk together 5 ml diluted peppermint essential oil and 2 tablespoons of grated cucumber. Add 2 tablespoons of green clay to the bowl and blend all the ingredients well into a paste.
Use this paste as a facial mask. Once it’s dry, wash it off with warm water. Follow this recipe twice a week to get rid of oily skin, as this mask can absorb the oil from your face.
Peppermint Oil for Acne:
Remove acne scars and improve skin health by combining lavender essential oil with 2–3 drops of peppermint oil in equal parts, and then applying this mixture topically to skin areas affected by acne marks.
How to Use Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth
Menthol, used in anti-dandruff shampoos, is one of the most important chemical components of peppermint essential oil. This is why peppermint oil can be effectively used to promote hair growth and increase the depth of hair follicles.
Dandruff Control:
To make homemade shampoo for reducing dandruff, mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 6 ounces of aloe vera gel, 10 tablespoons of baking soda, 10 drops of peppermint oil, and 20 drops of rosemary essential oil.
Store the mixture in an 8-ounce glass dispenser. Use it like you’d use a regular shampoo.
Hair Thickener:
If you have thinning hair, try blending a tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil with 3–4 drops each of peppermint, sage, and rosemary essential oils. Massage this mixture daily into the thinning areas once or twice a day to promote hair growth.
Hair Nourishment:
Add 10 drops of peppermint oil into a bottle of shampoo or hair conditioner, and give the bottle a good shake to disperse the oil throughout. You can also add 1–2 drops of peppermint oil to a dollop of shampoo, and then use it just like a regular shampoo or conditioner.
Dry Scalp Moisturizer:
Hydrate or moisturize dry scalp and hair by mixing either a few drops of peppermint oil or a blend of peppermint oil with oils like lavender or jasmine with a carrier oil. After applying this mixture onto hair and scalp, wrap the head with a hot towel or wear a shower cap for at least 30 minutes. Rinse hair with shampoo.
How to Use Peppermint Oil for General Health
Use these recipes of peppermint oil for health benefits like relieving sinus congestion, reducing headaches, easing digestion, and many more.
Natural Toothpaste:
Create natural toothpaste at home that will not only feel good in the mouth but will also remove plaque gently. All you’ll need for this recipe are 4 tablespoons of coconut oil, 20 drops each of the essential oils of peppermint and cinnamon, and 2–4 tablespoons of baking soda. You may also add up to a tablespoon of xylitol powder to the list of ingredients.
Melt coconut oil and add in the rest of the ingredients and stir to blend them well. Transfer this mixture to a lidded glass jar.
To use, apply ½ teaspoon of this toothpaste on your toothbrush without adding water. After brushing your teeth, spit out the remainder and then rinse your mouth with water to get a pleasant aftertaste.
Alternatively, add 2 drops of peppermint essential oil to your regular toothpaste and brush your teeth with it to prevent bad breath and toothaches.
Homemade Chest Rub:
This recipe uses a blend of essential oils for coughs and common colds that addresses the root cause of coughs and helps reduce the cough intensity.
First, melt ¼ cup each of olive oil and grated beeswax along with ½ cup coconut oil into a heat-safe glass jar over low-medium heat. Remove the jar from the heat and allow the mixture in the jar to cool slightly. Next, add in 20 drops each of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils.
Transfer this mixture to a metal tin or some other container and let it set. To use, apply this natural vapor rub on back, throat, and chest to help with common cold symptoms by unclogging nasal passages and improving the ease of breathing.
Peppermint Tea:
If you suffer from stomach bloating, stomachaches, or other digestive problems, brew yourself a cup of peppermint tea.
Start with heating some water, not to boil. Pour 1–2 drops of peppermint essential oil into it for a strong mint flavor. Stir the water with a spoon to disperse the mint flavor.
Drink this mint tea while it’s still hot. Take 1–2 cups of this herbal tea every day to reduce blood pressure and alleviate symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Headache Reliever:
To effectively reducing headaches and migraines, pour 2–3 drops of peppermint oil onto the palm and then rub it over the back of the neck, forehead, and temples.
Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, if the peppermint feels too chilling or the minty smell is too strong.
Sunburn Protection:
Prevent sunburns and heal skin after exposure to the sun by preparing a spray at home to relieve the pain from sunburns.
Fill a saucepan with 2 inches of water and place it over medium heat. Add 1/8 cup fractionated coconut oil and ½ cup liquid aloe vera juice in a jar and keep the jar in the saucepan.
Stir the mixture to liquefy the coconut oil and combine the 2 ingredients. Next, remove the jar from the heat and add in 10 drops each of the essential oils of peppermint and lavender. After blending them all well, transfer the mixture to a glass spray bottle and store it in a cool, dark place.
Spray this mixture over your skin for sunburn relief. Alternatively, mix ½ teaspoon coconut oil with 2–3 drops of peppermint essential oil and apply this mixture directly to your skin.
Nausea Reliever:
You can use peppermint oil in a number of ways to get relief from nausea.
Add a drop of peppermint oil to a glass of purified water and breathe in the fragrance deeply, or inhale directly from the bottle of peppermint essential oil.
Rub 1–2 drops of the peppermint oil behind ears, or on the soles of the feet and onto the back of the neck.
You can also add 2–3 drops of peppermint oil to a cold compress and place it on your forehead for nausea relief.
Chemical-free Mouthwash:
To make a homemade mouthwash, add a tablespoon of calcium carbonate powder, 8 drops of concentrated trace minerals liquid, 3 cups of spring or bottled water, 5 drops each of peppermint and tea tree essential oils, and 3 drops each of the essential oils of lemon and spearmint into a glass mason jar. Shake well to blend all ingredients well. Store this mixture in a dark place or a fridge.
To use, take a small sip of this homemade mouthwash. Swish it around inside your mouth and gargle for 20–30 seconds, and then spit it out. Don’t swallow the mouthwash.
How to Use Peppermint Oil for Home Care
The antimicrobial properties of peppermint oil make it effective when used as a household cleaner or an insect repellent. This oil not only deodorizes the home but also sanitizes it.
Insect Repellent:
In a glass spray bottle, mix 12 ounces of witch hazel with 10 drops each of peppermint and tea tree essential oils and 15 drops each of lemon and citronella essential oils. Shake the bottle well before each use, and spray around your house and in the corners to keep insects like fleas and mosquitoes at bay.
Alternatively, add 10–15 drops of peppermint oil to a cup of water in a glass spray bottle, and use it in the same way as in the first recipe. To repel ants, sprinkle a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and keep them around your house.
You can also dilute peppermint essential oil with coconut oil or jojoba oil and apply a drop of the diluted peppermint oil on your clothes or your skin.
Surface Disinfectant and Cleaner:
Fill up a 16-ounce glass spray bottle with a mixture of water and ¼ cup white vinegar. Add 10–20 drops of a blend of peppermint oil with tea tree essential oil or lemon essential oil to the mixture in the spray bottle and shake it well.
Spray this mixture on kitchen counters and other surfaces in and around the kitchen and bathroom to clean as well as disinfect them.
Natural Laundry Detergent:
Make your clothes last longer by creating your own laundry soap at home. The ingredients you’ll need are a cup of baking soda, 2 cups of washing soda, a bar of grated castile soap, and 15 drops each of peppermint and lavender essential oils.
Mix all these ingredients together and store this mixture in an airtight container. In your washer, wait until the water gets through the soap dispenser, then add ¼ cup of the homemade laundry detergent for each large wash load.
Peppermint Essential Oil Warnings
Always dilute peppermint essential oil before using it for topical applications. Don’t use this essential oil topically on the chest or face of children or infants, as they may get skin irritation. Also, avoid using peppermint oil for dogs and cats.
Do NOT ingest as it may lead to side effects, which include mouth sores, heartburn, headaches, and flushing.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or already taking medicines for some other health issues, it’s best to consult a certified aromatherapist before using peppermint essential oil. Read about essential oil safety tips to know more.
